The race for the New York City gaming license is heating up as Related Companies, the developer of Hudson Yards, revealed its ambitious plan to build a casino resort over the Western Rail Yards. The $12 billion project would include three skyscrapers, a hotel, offices, housing, a school, and a park, transforming the area into a destination for entertainment, leisure, and business.
A world-class resort with a Wynn Casino
Related Companies has partnered with Wynn Resorts, one of the leading operators of luxury casinos and resorts, to create a world-class gaming and hospitality experience at Hudson Yards. The casino resort would span 2.6 million square feet on the north side of the site, featuring a 1,750-room hotel, a ballroom, conference space, retail, restaurants, and a five-story casino. The casino would offer a variety of games, including slots, table games, poker, and sports betting, catering to different preferences and budgets.
The casino resort would also be a landmark for the city, as it would rise 80 stories and 1,200 feet tall, making it one of the tallest buildings in New York. The design of the tower would reflect the modern and elegant style of Wynn Resorts, with a curved glass facade and a distinctive crown. The resort would also offer stunning views of the Hudson River, the Manhattan skyline, and the surrounding greenery.
A mixed-use development with community benefits
The casino resort would be part of a larger mixed-use development that would cover 13 acres of land above the MTA’s West Side Yard, between 11th and 12th Avenues and West 30th and West 33rd Streets. Related Companies would have to construct a platform over the rail yard, which is currently used by the Long Island Rail Road, to support the development.
The development would also include two other skyscrapers, one on the southeast corner and one on the southwest corner of the site. The southeast tower would be 1,400 feet tall and house 2 million square feet of office space and a 750-seat public school. The southwest tower would be 1,200 feet tall and contain 1,507 housing units, of which 324 would be affordable. The development would also provide six acres of public open space, including a park, a playground, and a plaza.
The project would bring significant benefits to the city and the community, according to Related Companies. The project would generate thousands of jobs, billions in revenue, and millions in taxes for the city and the state. The project would also contribute to the master plan of Hudson Yards, which is the largest private real estate development in the history of the United States. The project would create a vibrant and diverse neighborhood that would attract visitors, residents, and businesses.
A competitive bid for the gaming license
The project, however, is contingent on Related Companies securing one of the three downstate gaming licenses that the state is expected to award soon. The state legalized casino gambling in 2013, but limited the number of licenses to four upstate casinos and three downstate casinos. The upstate casinos have already opened, but the downstate licenses have been delayed until 2023. The state is now preparing to open the application process for the downstate licenses, which are expected to be highly competitive and lucrative.
Related Companies is one of the approximately 10 bidders who have expressed interest in obtaining a downstate gaming license. The other bidders include MGM Resorts, which owns the Empire City Casino in Yonkers, Sands Corporation, which plans to build a casino in Queens, and Bally’s Corporation, which proposes a casino in the Bronx. The bidders will have to submit their applications to the state Gaming Commission, which will evaluate them based on various criteria, such as economic impact, community support, and environmental sustainability.
Related Companies has filed a rezoning application with the Department of City Planning on Tuesday, February 21, 2024, to seek approval for its casino plan. The application includes a detailed description of the project, as well as an alternative plan in case the casino license is not granted. The alternative plan would reduce the size and height of the towers, and replace the casino with more office and residential space. The application will undergo a public review process, which will involve input from local officials, community boards, and the public.
Related Companies has also stated that it will submit a community benefits agreement along with its full application to the state later this year. The agreement will outline the commitments and contributions that the developer will make to the local community, such as affordable housing, education, transportation, and social services. The developer has also said that it will engage with stakeholders across the local community as part of the city land-use process.
Related Companies is confident that its casino plan will stand out among the other bidders, as it offers a unique and comprehensive vision for Hudson Yards and the city. The developer has already proven its ability to deliver large-scale and complex projects, such as the first phase of Hudson Yards, which opened in 2019 and includes office buildings, residential towers, a mall, a cultural center, and a public square. The developer hopes to continue the success of Hudson Yards with its casino plan, which will create a new destination for New York and the world.
